Coal-washing apparatus.



6w 0 9 1 3 M P A D E T N E T A P R N I T R A M L PM COAL WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-4. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED APR. a, 1906.

R. L. MARTIN, JR. GOAL WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-4, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 816,672. PATENTE'D APR. 3, 1906. R. L. MARTIN, JR. GOAL WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED PEBA. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wifiwssas: Ina/ 62211222 WW $W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT L. MARTIN, JR, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PITTSBURGH COAL WASHER COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PEN N SYLVANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 3, 1906.

Application filed February 4. 1905. Serial No. 244,072.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. MARTIN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coal-Washing Apparatus, of which the'following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through my improved coal-washing apparatus, indicated by the line I I of the diagrammatic plan view of Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional detail view indicated by the line II II of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the coal-bin, jig-tank, andsettling-tank, the operative mechanism having been removed. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the upper portion of the jig-tank, showing the jig in its middle position. Fig. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view through the bottom portion of the jig at one side, indicated by the line V V of Fig. 4, showing the mounting of the pivoted slats or gates forming the bottom. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the other end of the slat and its bearing, showing it raised against the limiting-stop. Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view through the bottom portion of the jig, showing the slats raised, permitting upward circulation of the water during downward travel of the jig. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the variable stroke jig actuating mechanism in a different position. Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the coalbin, jig-tank, slate-tank, and settling-tank, with the driving mechanism for the jig, .and illustrating a modified arrangement for the circulation of the water from the settlingtank through the slate-tank back to the jigtank. Fig. 10 is a detail view showing the mechanism for adjusting the fulcrum-shaft of the variable-stroke jig-lever. Fig. 11 is a cross-section on the line XI XI of Fig. 9. Fig.

- 12 is a sectional detail view showing a modified arrangement of slats.

My invention relates to improvements in coal or ore washing machinery or apparatus wherein the coal is washed in a reciprocating jig arranged to be moved vertically within a jig-tank, the coal being separated from the heavier impurities by the floating action of Water permitting the coal to be carried over into a settling-tank, the impurities falling by gravity to the bottom of the jig.

The present invention refers particularly to the means for providing a circulation of water from the settling-tank to the jig-tank, also to an improved construction of jig and the actuating mechanism therefor whereby a variable upward and downward stroke is secured, and to various other features of construction, as shall be more fully hereinafter set forth.

Referring now to the drawings illustrating the invention, 2 represents a dry coal-bin to which coal is delivered in any suitable manner, as by an elevator 3, the bin 2 being located at a suitable elevation above and in convenient proximity to a jig-tank 4, into the jig in the upper portion of which coal is delivered, preferably by gravity, through a suitable opening at the base of the coal-bin.

Adjacent to the jig-tank and preferably at one side thereof is the slatetank 5, to which slate and other im urities discharged from time to time from t e bottom of the jig are conveyed. The jig-tank is preferably provided with an inclined bottom 6 to deliver the slate and other impurities to the slatetank, from which they are removed by any suitable elevator or conveying mechanism a.

7 is the settling-tank, into which the washed coal is discharged over from the jig by the buoyant action of the water, which carries it through a suitable chute or opening 8, communicating between the jig-tank and the settling-tank. In the construction shown in the principal figures of the drawings circulation of the water backwardly from the settling-tank 7 to the jig-tank is provided for by a communicating boX or conduit 9, into which the water flows over from the top portion of the settling-tank and which leads downwardly and across to a point below the jig, opening into the jig-tank, as shown in Fig. 1, and provided with a flap-gate 10, hinged at 11. This flap-gate is adapted to open upon upward travel of the jig and to close when the jig descends, thereby admitting water and retaining it, whereby the water will pass through the bottom of the jig on its downward motlon. I

12 is the jig, vertically mounted in the upper portion of the jig-tank, provided With suitable guiding bearings 13, arranged to make an approximately water-tight fit around its sides and provided with. a bottom com posed of a slantingly-arranged series of gates or slats arranged to admit passage of the water upwardly through them on downward travel, but to close against return of the water or the inclosed coal, &c., on upward travel. The jig is provided with a dischargegate 14 at its lower end adapted to be raised from time to time or to be maintained partially opened, so as to allow of the escape of the heavier slate and other impurities from the bottom of the tank. This gate is provided with a raising or lowering rod 15, con.- nected with any suitable lever 16, with means for setting the lever at varying positions, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby the gate 14 may be actuated.

The entire lower portion of the jig is composed of a series of upwardly-opening slats or gates 17, overlapping each other, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 7, and provided with journal-bearing extensions 18 at each end mounted in suitable bearings 19, made of perforated bars or in any other suitable manner and secured to the inner lower sides of the jigframe. These slats may be of sheet metal or of castings, as desired, and are adapted to form a continuous closed bottom or floor for the jig when at rest and to support the burden of coal, but capable of upward travel, as shown in Fig. 7, so that upon downward motion of the jig they will open to admit of the passage of the water upwardly throughout the entire area of the jig. It is desirable that the range of motion of these slats 17 shall be limited, and for such purpose I provide stops or bars 18 at each side, against which the slats will abut, and these bars are preferably made adjustable, so as to permit of varying the said opening action. These bars may conveniently be made of angle-iron or other suitable form and are so mounted that they may be arranged parallel with the bearingcenters of the slats or may be set at an angle to the line of their centers, so as to provide for a fuller opening of the slats at the lower portion of the jig-bottom than the upper, or vice versa, thereby controlling the volume of water admitted at any portion of the jig. This adjustment is desirable, for the reason that the greater portion of the contents of the jig accumulate at the lower portion of the incline and require a greater volume of water than the thinner layer at the upper portion, and the variably-opening slats are therefore capable of providing a suitable flow of water to suit the character of the coal or other material being washed, whatever may be its condition. The same result may be also secured by locating the centers of the slots closer together at the upper portion of the incline, as shown at the left side of Fig. 7, or by making these slats wider than those lower down, as

in Fig. 12, thus partially throttling the flow at the upper portion, resulting in the flow of the water in greater volume under the heaviest burden of the coal.

The jig is actuated vertically by cranks 19 of shafts 20, driven by suitable gearing 21 from shaft 22, geared with any desired source of power. Cranks 19 engage by their pins slots of levers 23, pivoted upon cross-shafts 24, and are connected beyond such fulcrumbearing at 25 with pitmen 26, attached to the upper portion of the jig, as clearly shown. By reason of the slotted engagement of the crank-pins of cranks 19 with levers 23 it will be seen that a variable stroke will be imparted to the jig, so that its upward travel is comparatively slow and its downward travel com paratively fast, owing to the actuating relation of the crank engaging the slot at different distances from the fulcrum 14. The upward travel also by reason of this arrange ment occupies a considerably greater timeapproXimately twice as long-as the down stroke, thereby securing the advantageous results due to quick pressure against the water in the jigtank and a comparatively slower upward rise. The relative relations of the upand-down stroke as to the proportions of the full revolution of the cranks is indicated by the letters at and y, Fig. 8, and is a feature of great advantage in operating the apparatus. When it is desired to vary the stroke of the pitmen 26 to further lengthen or shorten the travel. of the jig, the fulcrumshaft 24 may be adjusted toward or from the center of the crank by means of horizontallymovable shaft-bearings 27, (shown in Fig. 10,) provided with adjusting-screws 28, arranged to be secured in bearings 29 on the stationary framework or other equivalent means. By this construction I provide a variable stroke of the jig within any desired limits. The stroke of the jig may be further varied by shifting the pitman connection from one to another of a plurality of boltholes 30 in the end of crank 23, set at varying centers from the fulcrum center 14.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a modified arrangement providing for the circulation of the water from the settling tank 7 through the slate-tank 5 by means of an overflowopening 9, leading into the slate-tank over the top of the partition between it and the settling-tank, while a flap-valve 10 opens inwardly from the slate-tank to the jig-tank, as clearly shown in Fig. 11. The circulation of water by this arrangement provides a constant supply, the slate-tank acting as a reservoir, and a further advantage of this construction is that the elevator a operates to remove all accumulation in the bottom of the slatetank, thereby keeping the water clear.

The operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description, and the apparatus is well adapted to thoroughly wash the coal and to separate it from its impurities in a rapid, efficient, and economical manner. The jig as constructed avoids the necessity of a supplemental load-sustaining bottom and is capable of furnishing a free circulation of water upwardly through all parts of the contained coal, thereby resulting in very thorough washing.

Various changes or modifications may be made in the design, construction, or various other details by the skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is 1. In a coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a jig-tank, of a vertically-reciprocating jig having a bottom composed of a series of overlapping freely-pivoted slats adapted to open and shut under the influence of the reciprocations, substantially as set forth.

2. In a coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a jig-tank, of a vertically-reciprocating jig having a bottom composed of a series of overlapping freely-pivoted slats adapted to open and shut under the influence of the reciprocations, with means for receiving the water and coal from the upper por tion of the jig and for renewing the supply of water beneath the jig, substantially as set forth.

3. In a coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a jig-tank and a settling-tank adjacent thereto, with means for conveying water from the settling-tank to the jig-tank beneath the jig; of a verticallyanovable jig provided with a series of overlapping freelypivoted slats adapted to open and shut under the influence of the reciprocations, substantially as set forth.

4. In a coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a jig-tank and a settling-tank adjacent thereto, with means for conveying water from the settling-tank to the jig-tank beneath the jig; of a vertically-movable jig provided with a series of overlapping freelypivoted slats adapted to open and shut under the influence of the reciprocations, with means for reciprocating the jig, substantially as set forth.

5. In a coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a jig-tank and a settling-tank adjacent thereto, with means for conveying water from the settling-tank to the jig-tank beneath the jig; of a vertically-movable jig provided with a series of overlapping freelypivoted slats adapted to open and shut under the influence of the reciprocations, and an independent opening gate arranged to allow the heavier particles to escape from the jig, substantially as set forth.

6. In a coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a jig-tank and a settling-tank adjacent thereto, with means for conveying water from the settling-tank to the jig-tank beneath the jig; of a vertically-movable jig provided with a series of overlapping freelypivoted slats comprising an opening and closing bottom, with means for imparting a slow upward and a fast downward stroke to the jig, substantially as set forth.

7. In a coal-washing apparatus, the combination of a jigtank, a reciprocating jig therein provided with a bottom having attached inwardly-opening valves, and a settling-tank adjacent to thejig-tank, with an intervening inwardlyaopening flap-valve leading into the jig-tank whereby a circulation of water is established from the jig-tank to the settling-tank and from the settling-tank into the jig-tank at a lower level upon reciprocating the jig, substantially as set forth.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a jig-tank, a reciprocating jig therein provided with a bottom having attached inwardly-opening valves, a settling-tank, a slate-tank, an overflow-conduit leadin from the jig-tank to the settling-tank, a conduit leading from the settling-tank to the slate-tank, and a conduit leading from the slate-tank to the interior of the jig-tank at a lower level, with a covering flap-valve opening into the jig-tank, substantially as set forth 9. A coal-washing jig comprising a vertically-reciprocable framework provided with a bottom composed of a series of overlapping freelypivoted gates, substantially as set forth.

10. A coal-washing jig comprising a vertically-reciprocable framework provided with a bottom composed of a series of overlapping freely-pivoted gates, and means for limiting the upward travel of said gates, substan tially as set forth.

11. A coal-washing jig comprising a vertically-reciprocable framework provided with a bottom composed of a series of overlapping freely-pivoted gates, and an adjustable device arranged to limit the upward travel of said gates, substantially as set forth.

12. A coal-washing jig comprising a vertically-reciprocable framework provided with a sloping bottom composed of a series of overlapping freely-pivoted gates, substantially as set forth.

13. A coal-washing jig comprising a vertically-reciprocable framework provided with a sloping bottom composed of a series of overlapping freely-pivoted gates, and a discharge-gate at the lower end of said jig, substantially as set forth.

14. A coal-washing jig comprising a vertically-reciprocable framework provided with a sloping bottom composed of a series of overlapping freely-pivoted gates, and a dischargegate at the lower end of said jig, with means for locating said gate at varying heights, substantially as set forth.

15. Mechanism for variably actuating a jig having a valve-controlled bottom, of slotted levers connected with the jig by pitmen, reciprocating cranks engaging the levers, and adjustable fulcrum-bearings for the levers, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination with. a vertically-reciprocating jig, of pivotally-mounted slotted levers provided with a plurality of pitman connections located at different distances from the fulcrum centers of the levers and pitmen connected therewith and with the jig, with actuating-cranks engaging the slot ted levers, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination with a jig-tank, of a vertically movable jig provided with attached mechanism for closing the bottom of the jig against passage of water on the upward stroke and for providing for passage of the water on the downward stroke, and means for imparting a slow upward and a fast clown- Ward stroke to the jig, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with a jig-tank, of a verticallymovable jig provided with at tached mechanism for closing the bottom of the jig against passage of water on the upward stroke and for providing for passage of the water on the downward stroke, and actuating mechanism consisting of pivoted levers, means connecting the jig with said levers at one side of their pivotal bearings, and means for actuating the levers in changing engagement therewith at the other side of said bearings, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination with a jig-tank, of a vertically movable jig provided with attached mechanism for closing the bottom of the jig against passage of water on the upward stroke and for providing for passage of the water on the downward stroke, and actuating mechanism consisting of pivoted levers,

means connecting the jig with said levers at one side of their pivotal bearings, and means for actuating the levers in changing engagement therewith at the other side of said bearings, with means for adjusting the pivotal bearings of the levers, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination with a jig-tank, of a vertically movable jig provided with attached mechanism for closing the bottom of the jig against passage of water on the upward stroke and for providing for passage of the water on the downward stroke, and actuating mechanism consisting of pivoted levers, means connecting the jig with said levers at one side of their pivotal bearings, and means for actuating the levers in changing engagement therewith at the other side of said bearings, with means for varying the normal dis tance between said actuating means and the pivotal bearings, substantially as set forth.

23. The combination with a jigtank, of a vertically movable jig provided with attached mechanism for closing the bottom of the jig against passage of water on the upward stroke and for providing for passage of the water on the downward stroke, and actuating mechanism consisting of pivoted levers, means connecting the jig with said levers at one side of their pivotal bearings, and actuating-cranks in driving engagement with the levers, with means for adjusting the pivotal bearings of the levers, substantially as set forth.

24. The combination with a jig-tank, of a vertically movable jig provided with attached mechanism for closing the bottom of the jig against passage of water on the upward stroke and for providing for passage of water on the downward stroke, actuating mechanism consisting of pivoted levers, pitmen connecting said levers with the jig, and means for actuating the levers in changing engagement therewith and providing for different rates of travel on the upward and downward motion of the jig, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aHiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. MARTIN, JR. 

